Finance Committee

01/12/10 Minutes (7 KB)

Members present: Steve Bach, Tommy Lee Bychinski, Joan Fordham, Marty Krueger, William F. Wenzel
Others present: Judy Ashford, Kerry Beghin, Jennifer Erickson, Elizabeth Geoghegan, Lynn Horkan, Penny Pohle, Kathy Schauf, Mark Steward

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Bychinski at 8:30 AM. Certification of open meeting compliance was given. Motion by Fordham to adopt the agenda, second by Bach. Motion carried. Motion by Fordham to adopt the minutes of the previous meetings December 8 and 15, 2009, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Public Comment: None

Communications: None

Discussion of County land easement/acquisition money in the Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Department budget
Steward explained there is $199,732 segregated in the 2010 P&Z budget. These funds were originally appropriated from General Fund balance, and have been carried forward for many years. The P&Z Committee and Steward have discussed the purchase of conservation easements to take advantage of state dollars to preserve farmland into perpetuity. This funding would require local matching funds, namely these dollars, to start at least. The program would need to be approved by the County Board. The P&Z committee will discuss the program and lay out specifics; returning later for approval.

Update on guardian ad litem collections. Consideration of a contract with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause to establish guardian ad litem process changes
Motion by Krueger to postpone to next month’s agenda, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Consideration of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds
Krueger stated an additional Federal financing tool is available to the County in the amount of $344,000. The County could issue bonds up to this amount, and 45 percent of the interest expense would be subsidized by the Federal government. If the County chose to waive issuance of this debt itself, the ability to issue this debt could be passed to local governments within the County. Any unit of government accessing these funds would have to declare itself a “recovery zone,” signifying poverty, unemployment, general distress or home foreclosure. The allocation must be used, re-allocated, or waived by the end of 2010. The Finance Committee generally agreed the County did not have need to issue this debt itself and to elicit interest from the local governments.

Presentation of jail state prisoners report
Beghin stated reports should be close to final. Some 2009 expenses are most likely pending. The board discussed the reports.

Consider creation of change funds for drinking water test kits program
Erickson and Pohle reviewed the drinking water program and the need for up to $100 in change funds. These funds would only be needed for a couple months each year, and would be returned at the end of the programs. Motion by Bach to create up to $100 in temporary, but recurring change funds for drinking water test kits program, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Consider resolution adjusting mileage reimbursement rates for 2010 for non-represented personnel and elected officials
Beghin stated the resolution was passed by the Personnel Committee last week. The change would tie the mileage rates for these staff directly to the IRS rate, rounded down to the nearest full penny. Motion by Krueger to adjust mileage reimbursement rates for 2010 for non-represented personnel and elected officials effective January 1, 2010, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Consider transfer of remaining rental property funds
Beghin explained the amounts in segregated funds remaining from Heath Care Center (HCC) and 3rd Avenue properties. Motion by Krueger to transfer the remaining HCC rental property funds to the HCCenter and transfer the remaining funds from the 3rd Avenue property to the General Fund, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Discussion of process for structural planning as part of 2011 budget process
The 2011 Budget/Strategic Plan/Restructure Process timeline was discussed. Cooperation across all levels of County government was discussed. General consensus was strongly encourage February and/or March priorities and programs discussions as part of each oversight committee’s meetings, preferably in the evenings to boost participation.

Presentation of County financial report
Beghin stated that overall 2009 is sound, notwithstanding specific lines being over and under budget. The report was discussed and reviewed. Seasonally adjusted sales tax is still slightly ahead of budget.

Treasurer’s Department Update
Geoghegan updated the Committee on Treasurer Department activity. Geoghegan highlighted the receipts from the municipalities for 2009 taxes are on pace with prior years. The investments were reviewed and discussed. Motion by Krueger to receive the Treasurer report and approve payment of invoices from the Treasurer’s Department in the amount of $4,384.75, second by Wenzel. Motion carried.

Accounting Department Update:
Beghin pointed out the highlights of the Accounting Department’s recent activity. Motion by Krueger to receive the Accounting report and approve payment of the Accounting Department invoices in the amount of $79,670.27 and the County invoices in the amount of $4,005,243.22, second by Bach. Motion carried.

Next Meeting
The next regular Finance meeting will be Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 5:30 pm.

Motion by Wenzel to adjourn the meeting, second by Fordham. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Steven Bach
Finance Committee Secretary